Vandas have about 50 species, from which the many hybrids are derived from the tropics Asia and the orient as far down as Australia, they require warm growing conditions with plenty of bright light. Normally they grow best suspended in wooden baskets. They need lots of light, but will still burn when the sun reaches them through glass, so some shading is necessary, the correct level of shading has been reached when on a sunny day, your hand will cast a shadow on the plant but without a definate edge. Grow them high up, but dont forget to give them good air circulation.

Vandas like it hot, minimum night temps may fall to 55 deg. as long as the plant is thoroughly dry by nightfall and daytime temperatures in the 80s is quite ok.

Vanilla dilloniana, commonly known as Dillon's Vanilla, is distributed throughout the West Indies and had been reported on the banks of the Miami River in South Florida. Shoots form a multi-branched, leafless vine that can reach lengths up to 15 ft. The light green flowers are similar to Vanilla barbellata but the petals and sepals are longer and the fluted lip is a deep reddish-purple with a yellow crest. This orchid grows in areas with a limestone substrate, such as coastal berms and hardwood hammocks.

Vanilla dilloniana is considered vulnerable across its range and endangered in Florida. Although this species may be extirpated in Florida, pieces of plants from the original colony have been shared and may be found in local collections.

This leafy climbing orchid from hot, wet tropical America is grown for its pods which, when dried, become the commercial vanilla. The flowers are hand pollinated. The Aztec Indians in Mexico used Vanilla Pods to flavor their chocolate drink 'Xoco-latl'. Vanilla was introduced to Europe, and French started to grow it in Africa. Vanilla Pods are picked green when they have no scent. The lengthy curing process, which develops fragrant aroma, is one reason for its high cost. Vanilla was believed to be a tonic for the brain. They need a large pot and support for climbing. If really happy, Vanilla planifolia can exceed 100 feet in length in just a few years. They flower only when mature, which takes a few years. Propagated generally by cutting. Plant becomes Epiphytic with age. Water freely, less water in winter.

Most of our plants are certified for shipping to California, however, certain plants are not certified. Please do not order not-certified plants to California addresses. These plants may be added to CA certification in the future; please contact us for more information.

This genus of vine-like plants has a monopodial climbing habitus. They can form long thin stems with a length of more than 35 m, with alternate leaves spread along their length. The short, oblong, dark green leaves of Vanilla are thick and leathery, even fleshy in some species. But there are also a significant number of species that have their leaves reduced to scales or have become nearly or totally leafless and appear to use their green climbing stems for photosynthesis. Long and strong aerial roots grow from each node.

Extremely rare, hard to find plant from Thailand with very strongly fragrant flowers. It is a critically endangered species threatened by habitat loss. Small tree or large shrub.

According to the Thai legend, this flower grown in a garden helps to retain spirits of beloved lost ones around and heals broken hearts. Amazingly, medicinal properties of the plant in fact are used in folk medicine for healing heart problems. The plant is used as cardiac tonic.

This small tree is endemic to Thailand, growing gregariously in the vicinity of swampy areas (Nong Thung Thong), but also found in lowland evergreen forest, limestone formations in Phangnga and Trang, below 100 m altitude. Flower has a strong pleasant fragrance. Flowering: January-April; Fruiting: February-August.